Nestled in the middle of Keong Saik Road is KēSa House, inside which a lesser known gem of coffee-based creations hides. The Affogato Lounge is a beautifully warm place with interiors lit with a sunset hue, and comfortable couches and counter stools for days you would either spend working, reading or just plain lounging. And what better way to sit and relax in the environment than to indulge in one of their contemporary creations?

The Coco Black ($17), introduced to celebrate the opening of The Affogato Lounge, is their first-ever Asian-inspired affogato – a pulut hitam base served with kaya bread pudding, topped with a scoop of fresh coconut ice cream. It is then drizzled with a shot of Empire, Ozone Roaster’s flagship espresso blend, which gives the dessert the aromatic notes of berry jam, chocolate and caramel.

The timeless tiramisu flavour has adopted the form of an affogato here as well. Being the first alcoholic affogato, the Tiramisu ($20) has been reconstructed by the good folks at The Affogato Lounge with Paramount, a deep, smooth and dark espresso shot with hints of dark chocolate and muscovado sugar to balance out the luscious dessert with some bitterness. The Trilogy ($16) is one for the chocolate lovers; 70% dark chocolate, caramel blanc and single origin dark cocoa poured over with Fitzroy, a blend of coffee with a floral and fruity body, and chocolatey finish.

The Affogato Lounge produces their ice cream in micro-batches fresh in-house, and pacotized to ensure a creamy, smooth texture.

Now, if you’re wondering where to eat around the area before hitting this stop, don’t worry! The Affogato Lounge isn’t just a dessert or coffee spot. In addition to serving the quality coffee and affogato desserts that they are known for, the dessert bar also serves a curated selection of coffee and tea cocktails to arouse the taste buds with life’s simple brews, and a selection of paninis, bowls and quiches to sate your hunger as you sip. All cocktails are priced at $20 each while food prices hover around $15.

Food, dessert, coffee and alcohol. You can find them all offered in this cosy little space.

KēSa House, 55 Keong Saik Road, #01-02, Singapore 089158.

Tel: +65 9889 7005

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BARISTART COFFEE

Brunch is arguably one of the most popular – albeit ‘unofficial’ – meals of the day. Slotting itself in between breakfast and lunch (around 11am would be brunch primetime), the merger between lunch and dinner has become a very logical solution to the diminishing amount of time we have available for meals. Likewise, the popular Hokkaido Café Baristart Coffee is here to slot itself into your list of brunch venues with their brand-new Japanese brunch menu.

Expect the same rich full cream Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk – the very same one they are best known for – in the brunch offerings. In-house pastry chef Emi Sasaki exquisitely crafts Baristart Coffee’s rendition of French Toasts that range from the classic to the fancy. Traditionalists will insist on the Maple and Butter French Toast ($14.80), a no-frills breakfast with French toasts soaked in Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk, buttery toasted warm baguettes topped with slivers of cold butter and served with pure nectarous maple syrup and swirls of Hokkaido BIEI soft cream. Or try their Eggs Benedict French Toast ($15.80), a familiar brunch favourite with the signature Baristart twist. If you fancy something fruity, you have the option of the Caramel Banana French Toast ($14.80) or Mixed Berries French Toast ($12.80). Caramel sauce and icing sugar on a slice of sugar-crusted banana in the former, and a vibrant mélange of fresh strawberries and blueberries, sliced almond and pistachio, and cookie crumble in the latter, crown toasts soaked in Hokkaido BIEI Jersey Milk. Those looking for a more filling option have the Yakiniku Don ($28.80) to indulge in, which features A5 grade Hokkaido Wagyu Beef grilled to melt-in-the-mouth perfection.

You don’t have to go to Hokkaido to try their milk in desserts when they’re brought to you through Baristart Coffee’s menu.

65 Tras Street Singapore 079004.

Tel: +65 6904 3168

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FRIEDA RESTAURANT, ARCADE @ CAPITOL KEMPINSKI

We’ve been mentioning a lot of French and Japanese food lately. In this number, we have Freida Restaurant, which brings German fare to the table with a polished reflection of traditional German visual and architectural heritage.

Reimagining traditional German cuisine with Austrian inspirations, the menu at Frieda is headlined by their Oven Roasted Pork Knuckle ($39). Prepared according to the oldest German recipes, the whole free-range Australian pork hind leg takes a long, cold ice bath before being slow-cooked in an aromatic pork stock with various aromatics. Its skin is removed and baked in the oven to crispy perfection. This robust meat promises to please one and all. Other signatures include the traditional Veal Wiener Schnitzel ($37) that boasts a thick cutlet of breaded veal flawlesslypan-fried and served with potato salad, a refreshing gurkensalat of thinly sliced cucumber, sour cream and aromatic dill and parsley.

Vegetarians are not forgotten! Good old German-style White Asparagus (seasonal) is prepared at Frieda Restaurant. Freshly flown in twice a week from Bruchsal, Germany, the White Asparagus is meticulously prepared and can be enjoyed whole, with potatoes and Hollandaise sauce or in a soup. Other options include the Pretzel Dumplings ($26) served with creamy mushroom ragout and scallions.

Frieda Restaurant offers impeccable German hospitality in a welcoming setting for all dining purposes.

Chef Sam Leong shares his life story through his new ‘I Am Sam’ menu at Forest 森 this year. All the 8 featured dishes are special to him as they mark the hallmark achievements of his life as a modern Chinese chef, from the dish that lifted him up to stardom, dishes of love and passion and dishes prepared for royalty.

Some featured dishes include the Crispy Wasabi Mayonnaise Prawn with Mango Salsa, Chef Sam’s signature dish and the one that propelled him to the star he is today. It was the first time he had utilised a Japanese ingredient in his Chinese cooking; the ‘Chin-Thai’ entrée Pan-seared Lemongrass Chicken Roll stuffed with Glutinous Rice that was the first fusion dish he made with his Thai wife, Forest Leong, a harmonious marriage of Chinese and Thai culinary cultures; and the Steamed Soon Hock Fish in Clear Chicken Stock Reduction – a dish made specially for the Queen of England in 2006, one that she particularly enjoyed. Expect to see a range of meat and flavours including crab, pork ribs, abalone and coconuts cooked and plated exquisitely.

Customers can savour these modern Chinese creations through a la carte selections that start from S$18++, a 4-course set lunch (S$48++ per person) and a 4-course set dinner (S$88++ per person).

Take a trip through time and experience some of the most memorable events of Chef Sam’s life at Forest 森 at Equarius Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa today.

The Flavours of Singapore buffet is available at The Line at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore every Thursday, Friday and Saturday dinner from 18 July to 10 August 2019. To commemorate Singapore’s 54 years of nationhood, they will present a celebration of local food inspired by the traditional street food of the 1980s. Throw a retro party and go back in time to enjoy tropical fruits like the King of Fruits, durian, and some retro snacks. 16 live-cooking stations await to dish out your favourite nostalgic food and beverage.

Swim in unlimited servings of Golden Phoenix durian, Hong Xia (red prawn) Durian and D13 Durian, cut open only when you order! Yes, unlimited. Other fruits like mangosteen, rambutans, longan and jackfruits also make an appearance at the outdoor stall, as a King should never be found without his entourage of court officials. Childhood snacks like Kacang Puteh, White Rabbit Sweets and Wheel Crackers (some oldies may know them as flying saucers) are also available, treats that will tug the heartstrings of even the hardiest of grandpas.

Did we mention unlimited servings of durian?

On Thursdays and National Day on 9 August 2019, get endless servings of fruits, beers and soft drinks for $128++/adult and $64++/child. Prices are at $118++/adult and $59++/child on Fridays and Saturdays. All prices subject to prevailing 10% service charge and 7% GST.

Observant and mostly impartial, Joshua has an uncanny predilection for an appreciation of things. This English student yearns to see the coffee story told to people, more than just pretty cafes and tulips. His favourite quote: “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet…”